chip reid has a look. >> at gun shows across the nation this past weekend, people stood in line hoping to get eheir hands on an a.r.-15, the military style rifle used in the newtown, connecticut, school shooting. there's been a run on a.r.-15s at gun stores, too. rick friedman owns r.t.s.p. in randolph, new jersey. >> i normally sell about 15 or 20 a month. i've sold 30 in the last three days. >> reporter: the reason he says is clear. >> because people want to make sure they can own them legally hefore they have that "right" ntken away. >> reporter: the white house said after the newtown shooting atic president obama supports a ban on assault weapons proposed by california democratic senator dianne feinstein. getting it through congress quickly is highly unlikely, but the mere mention of a ban is enough to send sales soaring. and it's not just guns. brownell's, the world's largest firearm supplier, said it morently sold more than three- and-a-half years worth of a.r.- ag magazines in three days. even before newtown, sales of guns and ammunition this year were surging. chb.i. background